In support to the plans and programs of DOT Secretary Joseph Ace H. Durano to achieve 5 million tourist arrivals by 2010, the Department of Tourism, Regional Office No. V successfully carried out its objective, directed to encourage, promote and develop tourism as a major socio-economic activity, accelerate tourist influx and generate foreign currency and employment. Tourist arrivals gathered from the different accommodation establishments has registered a report of 501,378 tourists from January to December, 2005, with a marked increase of 6% over 2004. Foreign tourists (29,969) increased by 19% and domestic tourists (471,409) increased by 5% over the same period of the previous year.
TOURISM PROMOTION AND MARKETING
Mayon Marathon
Showcasing the region’s diverse and rich natural resources, DOT V undertook several special interest and close to nature activities. In coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Provincial Government of Albay, the Mayon Marathon , an advocacy run on the preservation of the flora and fauna of Mt. Mayon environs, was conducted. The objective of this uphill run from the cities of Albay to the shoulder of the World’s Most Perfect Cone, Mt. Mayon was to revitalize local tourism in Bicol. The nature-based activity formed part of the Magayon Festival celebration of Albay Province.
Whaleshark Interaction and Firefly Watching
Extensive promotion and coordination with the Local Government Unit of Donsol, Sorsogon was undertaken to encourage more tourists and experience interacting / watching the World’s Gentle Giants of the sea, the Whaleshark or locally known as Butanding. The Whalesharks of Donsol was named as Asia’s Best Animal Encounter in 2004 by Time Asia Magazine. Donsol was tagged as the Whaleshark Capital of the World. A total of 7,200 tourist arrivals, both local and foreign, was noted in Donsol during the first semester of this year and reached a P9 million cash receipts from boat rentals and registration fees. The World Wildlife Foundation (WWF) though, monitored and declared a 35 million contribution of Donsol to Philippine economy during the whaleshark season. Former US Ambassador Francis Ricciardone, together with Senator Richard Gordon also had a taste of diving with the whalesharks. Firefly watching is also an added attraction at the Quipia River, especially for the romantics.
5th Bicol Tourism, Trade and Investment Mission to USA and Canada
In its efforts to enhance the market exposure of Bicol and maintain valuable contacts with tourism trade buyers in the US and Canada, the 5th Bicol Tourism, Trade and Investment Mission to USA and Canada was spearheaded by DOT V last July 20-26, 2005. Participated by Local Government Officials and stakeholders from the region, the continuing tourism project aims to showcase the boundless allure of the Bicol Region as a travel destination, along with immense bounties in business, trade and as a retirement haven as well. The DOT and the Local Government Officials in the delegation hyped a “Balik Bicol” project for prospective Fil-Am Balikbayans planning a vacation in the Philippines. The Local Government Unit of Legazpi headed by Mayor Noel E. Rosal bided and won the hosting of the Bicol National Association of America (BNAA) annual convention in Legazpi City in 2007. the BNAA is composed of thirty five (35) state associations of Bicolanos in the USA with more than a thousand members.
The tangible benefits derived from this mission are the following:
Mayor Rosal was able to generate financial assistance of $10,000.00 intended for the construction of a public restroom in Legazpi City and a pledge from the BILL GATES FOUNDATION, INC. to be the City’s partner in health and port development.
The BNAA Masbate Chapter will conduct a medical mission in Masbate City on February, 2006 and will provide medical equipments as well.
For Sorsogon Province, BNAA Washington pledged a lot donation for the construction of hospital at the boundary of Pilar and Donsol. A medical and dental mission will be conducted in January, 2006.
Gayon Bicol Fiesta III sa Peñafrancia
The Gayon Bicol Fiesta III sa Peñafrancia, held from September 7-18, 2005, is a challenge undertaken by the Department of Tourism Region V to allow the Bicolano to see the complete showcase brought previously to Intramuros, Manila, and likewise encourage visitors from other parts of the country and the world to come, experience, and discover the splendor and bounty that is Bicol.
Inspired by the enormous success of the Best of the Regions held for the past two (2) years (CY 2003 and 2004) in Intramuros, Manila, the Department of Tourism made it a continuing program aimed to create greater awareness among our local and foreign tourists of our diverse attractions, products and services, culinary arts as well as our rich cultural heritage. Furthermore, the program is geared towards the promotion of our country, and the regions in particular for tourism, and trade-related investment.
Anchored on the theme, I Love Bicol, "Biyahe Na!", the year III edition of the Best of the Bicol Region - "Gayon Bicol Fiesta Sa Peñafrancia" which was held to coincide with one of the biggest pilgrimage in the country - the Peñafrancia Festival in Naga City, indeed attracted hoards of visitors, pilgrims and devotees. With the City of Naga and the Province of Camarines Sur as hosts, the holding of Gayon Bicol consequently paved the way for DOT and the LGUs, particularly the provinces and cities to establish stronger and closer partnership through its active involvement in various activities. Moreover, the DOT widen its collaboration and linkages with other government and non-government organizations who likewise provided support, thus mounted a unified effort to make the 12-day tourism extravaganza truly a success.
Culminated by the Festival Street Dance Parade Competition and the Search for Bicol Festival Queen, the Fiesta Bicolandia likewise showcased the Wealth of Wonders (WOW) of Bicol through its spectacular display of destinations, travel and trade fair, craft and food demonstrations, Fashion Show, Cultural Presentation, Festival Parade, Musical Artist Extravaganza, Food Festival and other exciting events. These day to day activities were jam-packed with visitors, while huge spectators enjoyed the nightly rendezvous.
Despite some difficulties encountered, as a whole, the regional showcase marked a significant milestone in the history of local tourism industry attributed to the daily influx of visitors at the activity venues - Plaza Rizal and Quezon, as well as the recorded daily sales ranging from native products/handicraft booths, Crafts and Food Demo, Garden Show, Special Booths (Chowking & Globe), Bicol Food Fest and Tour packages.
Accordingly, the Bicolandia affair was a complete manifestation of the DOT's promotional campaign - "Ganda ng Bicol, Galing ng Bicolano".
Hereunder are the tangible benefits derived from the tourism event:
SALES:
Cash Sales by Sellers' booths P 2,112,795.75
Crafts and Food Demo 43,440.00
Special Booths: Chowking / Globe 200,000.00
Bicol Food Festival 68,600.00
Tour Packages 280,000.00
TOTAL CASH SALES P 2,704,835.75
CONTRACTED SALES:
Food Products P240,000.00
Furniture 450,000.00
Ceramics 20,000.00
Tour Packages 250,000.00
Handicrafts / Souvenirs 285,000.00
TOTAL CONTRACTED SALES P 1,245,000.00
DATE WITH HIGHEST VISITOR ARRIVAL: 9/17/05 65,000 pax
DATE WITH LOWEST VISITOR ARRIVAL: 9/15/05 7,500 pax
DAILY AVERAGE VISITOR ARRIVAL: 45,000 pax
ESTIMATED VISITOR ARRIVAL FOR THE DURATION: 540,000 pax
AVERAGE SALES PER DAY: P 225,405.47
“Pistang Sulo” Bicol Food Festival
In an effort to preserve the region’s rich cultural heritage through the culinary arts, the Department of Tourism, Region V ventured into a promotional program in partnership with Sulo Hotel showcasing Bicol’s exotic dishes. Held from October 17-28, 2005 at Sulo Hotel, Quezon City, the “Pistang Sulo” Bicol Foos Festival was jumpstarted with a ceremonial Opening graced by DOT top officials headed by Asst. Secretary for Promotions Eduardo Jarque, Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte and Surigao Congressman Prospero Pichay. Other guests include Ambassador to Lebanon – Ex-Governor of Albay Al Francis C. Bichara, Bicolano Congressmen, members of the tri-media, tour and travel operators and other members of various Bicolano Associations based in Manila. For only Php450.00, food lovers and diners flocked the Café Paraiso and enjoyed their sumptuous meal – “eat-all-you-can” as they savored the wide array of native dishes ranging from appetizers, desserts, the popular “Bicol Express”, “laing” or “pinangat”, “tilmok”, “inolokan” and many more.
Pastores Bicol 2005
The Pastores Bicol is an annual project of DOT V in line with its cultural thrust aimed to preserve and perpetuate the Bicolanos’ age-old tradition. It is an interpretative folk-festival related to the celebration of the Christmas tradition. It reenacts the rejoicing shepherds of Bethlehem who sang carols for the Baby Jesus during the first Christmas in Bethlehem. Performed through songs and dances, ten (10) groups of young boys and girls clad in colorful costume, sang and danced to the tune of “Pastores A Belen”, a composition of Dr. Jose Rizal. Cash prize of P50,000.00 went to the first placer; P30,000.00 for the second placer; P20,000.00 for the third placer, and P5,000.00 each for the non-winning contingents. To add more excitement to this annual Christmas event, door prizes solicited from various sponsors were raffled for the lucky viewers.
Sales opportunities were likewise conducted by showcasing the region’s tourist attractions, products and services through DOT’s participation in the VIZ-MIN Travel and Lifestyle Expo 2005 last March 6-7, 2005 at SM Cebu City. This tourism event provided opportunities for the exhibitors to meet potential clients and generated sales from the promotion of Bicol Region’s tourism potentials.
Media Invitational Tours and Familiarization Tours
Media mileage, photo and video documentation, festival flyers, streamers, press releases/publications and financial support were among the promotional assistance given to LGUs for the conduct of their unique festivals. Media Invitational tour to Masbate for the coverage of Rodeo Masbateño and Korina Sanchez’ Rated K’s segment featuring the Whalesharks of Donsol complemented the promotional campaign of DOT V. Assistance was also provided to Top Taiwanese divers eager to explore the tourism potentials of Donsol for the Butandings and Ticao Island for the Manta Rays.
DOT V also assisted nine (9) group tours by providing itineraries and tour guides and ensured the safe, convenient and enjoyable visit of the travelers to the different tourist destinations of the Bicol Region. Envisioned of more tourist arrivals this 2005 and onwards, a familiarization Tour / Study Tour to Canton-Hongkong-Shenzhen of Tourism Officers and Local Government Units were conducted in two batches. The first batch, with twenty-eight (28) participants was held last February 25-28, 2005. And the second batch was held last March 4-6, 2005 with thirty (30) participants. The main objective of the tour was to enable the participants to gain insights on how to conduct tours as well as sell tourism products and destinations available in their place.
Pilgrimage Tour to Joroan
Held every 3rd Saturday of August to pay homage to the miraculous image of Our Lady of Salvation, Patroness of Albay, this year’s Pilgrimage Tour was highlighted by a maritime procession. This yearly project of DOT V was participated by 70 devotees of the miraculous image mostly coming from the marginalized sector. Participants were from the parishes of Daraga, Albay and Legazpi. DOT V sponsored the free bus to transport the devotees from Albay District to the Shrine of Our Lady of Salvacion in Joroan, tiwi, albay.
Peñafrancia Pilgrimage Tour
DOT V sponsored the annual Pilgrimage Tour to Our Lady of Peñafrancia in Naga City last September , 2005 to provide the less privileged devotees of “Ina” from the parishes of Daraga, Albay District and Legazpi, the opportunity to pay homage to the Patroness of the Bicol Region and at the same time promote Naga City as a devotional center and pilgrimage destination. For this year, a total of sixty (60) devotees had the opportunity to pay homage to the Marianne Image. DOT V provided for the free transportation and sponsored a thanksgiving mass at the Basilica.
TOURISM INFORMATION SERVICE
Tourism collaterals were printed to guide visitors to the region. 5000 pcs. of WOW Bicol Tour Packages were reprinted, 2000 pcs of which were distributed during the VIZ-MIN Expo. 5,000 pcs. of Whaleshark (Butanding) brochures were produced and distributed at the Visitor’s Center in Dancalan, Donsol, Sorsogon.
Promotional Materials produced for the Gayon Bicol Fiesta III sa Peñafrancia include:
10,000 pcs. Gayon Bicol Fiesta III Calendar of Activites
5,000 pcs. Omnibus Bicol Tour Package Brochures
5,000 pcs. Butanding Brochures
300 pcs. Gayon Bicol Fiesta Invitations
300 pcs. DOT Logo Stickers
300 pcs. Gayon Bicol Fiesta III Stickers
100 pcs. Native Welcome Leis
10 pcs. streamers
6 pcs Provincial Tarpaulins
56 pcs Provincial and City tarpaulins size 5’ X 10’
150 pcs Provincial Drop Banners size 3’ X 9’
DOT Information Counters
To aide visitors, tourists, students and researchers on their queries, the office maintained two information counters, one at the DOT office and the other at the Legazpi City Airport arrival area. To make it more appealing to tourists, a complete make-over of the Legazpi City Airport tourist assistance information counter was done thru the efforts and generosity of Mr. Elizaldy S. Co of Sunwest Corporation.
Designed as a marketing tool, the regional office maintained the WOW Bicol Tourism Website. The website www.wowbicol.com feature the different tourist attractions and monthly activities/festivals throughout the Bicol Region. It will enable prospective clients from all over the world to survey the Region’s tourism possibilities.
The 2006-2007 Bicol Tourism Situation Report was also updated and forty copies were printed for distribution to Regional Offices nationwide and Tourism Offices worldwide.
TOURISM SERVICES / ACCREDITATION
Thirteen (13) tourism trainings and seminars were conducted to provide quality services and upgrade industry skills in the operations of tourism establishments in the region:
Tour Guiding Techniques in Masbate
Tourism Awareness Seminar in Masbate
Tourist Reception and Guiding Techniques in Sorsogon
Waitering and Bartending Seminar in Sorsogon
Tourist Handling Seminar (In-house seminar of Sta. Clara Shipping Lines staff)
Enhancement Seminar – Workshop of BIO’s/BOs and spotter for Donsol Eco-Tourism Adventures
Enhancement Seminar for Bios/Boatman & Guiding Techniques
Seminar Workshop for Frontliners – for new staff at the Donsol Tourism Visitor’s Center
Seminar on Public Safety in Legazpi City
Culinary Tour Workshop, Hotel la Trinidad, Legazpi City
Training Workshop for Boatmen as Tourism Frontliners, Donsol, Sorsogon
Basic Inn Keeping Procedures for the Homestay Program in Donsol, Sorsogon
Specialized Tour Guiding Workshop for Butanding Interaction Officer and Firefly Guides, Donsol, Sorsogon
On the accreditation functions, a total of thirty six (36) tourism-oriented establishments ranging from hotels (12), tourist inns (4), pension house (1), resorts (2), restaurants (2), tour guides (2), tour operators (3), restaurants (2), Homestay (1), and transport operators (7), with eight (8) original applications and twenty eight (28) establishments applied for renewal of accreditation during the year.
TOURISM PLANNING AND PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
Aimed to provide an effective, proper and updated information on the region’s tourism attractions, DOT V conducted research, validation and site inspection of the various, potential, emerging and existing destinations and tourism activities:
Mayon Planetarium and Science Park, Buang, Albay (Inaugurated last Nov. 5, 2005) Bontod Island, Masbate
Misibis Resort, Cagraray Island, Bacacay, Albay
Pototan Cave, Cagraray Island, Bacacay, Albay
La Fayette Mining, Rapu-Rapu, Albay
Ticao Island, San Jacinto, Masbate
Deagan Island, Masbate
Tiwi, Albay - Sagñay, Camarines Sur Tourism Highway
Firefly Watching at Ogod River in Donsol
PNOC BACMAN Eco-Park (Bat Watching, Slide for Life and Rapelling activities)
Vera Falls, Malinao, Albay
Puraran Beach, Baras, Catanduanes
Bagasbas Beach, Camarines Norte
Bacon Beach Resort, Bacon Sorsogon City
A thorough research was conducted both by DOT V and NEDA V Technical Working Group and came up with the Bicol Tourism Investment Plan for CY 2005 to 2007 which will develop natural tourist destinations/attractions, cultural attractions, geological features, agri-farm tourism, ecotourism, tourism related industries (arts and crafts) and infrastructure support facilities in the region.
In order to strengthen exchange on economic and technical cooperation, and promote mutual understanding and friendship between China and Philippines, the Regional Director of DOT V was chosen as one of the participants to the Advanced Training Workshop on Tour for ASEAN Officials held in Beijing, China last November 3 – 16, 2005. The training workshop was also beneficial in improving and enhancing promotional activities in the Bicol Region derived from the tourism marketing strategies implemented by China and by ASEAN countries particularly Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam.
TOURISM COORDINATION
The 8th Bicol Regional Tourism Assembly was conducted in Naga City last March 17-18, 2005, envisioned to become a venue for all serious and well-meaning institutions and persons to convene, again, after almost three years from the past summit in Legazpi City. The key objective of the Summit was to advocate the desired culture of tourism and highlight / showcase the exemplary initiatives, practices and projects promoting tourism that have direct impact to local concerns. A workshop was conducted on the preparation of model tour packages and came up with a regional Strategic Master Plan for 2005 to operationalize the “Balik Bikol Part II” scheme.
Continuing assistance, coordination and linkages were also provided to Local Tourism Councils, Local Government Units and National Government Agencies particularly on their various projects and activities. A total of 76 meetings and seminars were attended by the DOT staff and 51 meetings were attended by the Regional Director. Assisted LGU and NGA projects, where DOT staff are members of the TWG include: Kabataan 2005 (now known as Sikap Kabataan), DTI’s Pasalubong Shops, Visit Legazpi 2006, SMED Council, Economic Development Council, Regional Development Council, Regional Information Advocacy Committee, Regional Disaster Coordinating Rouncil, Regional Statistics and coordinating Council, Special Committee on Bicol Growth Area, Provincial Land Use Committee, Special Committee on Bicol Growth Area, Albay Tourism Advisory Council, Protected Area Management Board, Mt. Isarog National Park Ecological Governance Project and the Eco-Tourism Development at Mayon National Park, Beach Eco-Watch of DENR-EMB.
Another accomplishment of the regional tourism office was its participation to various activities initiated by LGUs aimed to instill a culture of tourism among the Bicolanos, like the replanting of first trees / vegetable seedlings at Balading, Malinao, Albay initiated by the Sikap Kabataan (Kabataan 2005); the Albay Gulf Landing and Water Arts Festival at the Eco-Cultural Tourism Park in Legazpi City; assistance to the 107th Independence Day Celebration initiated by LGU Legazpi and the Celebration of the 125th Birth Anniversary of Potenciano Gregorio at Sto. Domingo, Albay. DOT V also graced the opening ceremonies of the Palarong Bikol 2005 at Pili, Camarines Sur.
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